News

The Beta Phi Mu Lambda Chapter Barriers and Support scholarship will provide two $1,000.00 scholarships in 2025 to University of Oklahoma Master of Library & Information Studies (MLIS) students whose success in a graduate program may be impacted by a number of barriers or factors, such as being a first generation college student, being a single parent, chronic illness, unaffordability, changing careers, or technology barriers, to name a few examples. This scholarship aims to alleviate a small portion of the financial stress for currently-enrolled students by providing a check to put towards graduate school expenses in any way that they choose.

Any University of Oklahoma School of Library & Information Studies master's student may apply for this scholarship; there is no minimum GPA to be eligible, and students may apply regardless of how long they have been an OU MLIS student (early-program and late-program students may both apply). Part and full-time students are both eligible to apply. 

The 2025 application period closed on February 15 at 11:59pm. Congratulations to our 2025 recipients—Tessa and Marissa!  

If you have any questions or need technological help, please contact the Beta Phi Mu Lambda Officers at bpmlambda@gmail.com.

Vice President/President Elect

Zane Ratcliffe, MLIS:

Zane Ratcliffe is currently the Instruction and Research Services Librarian at the OSU-Tulsa Library. Zane studied music and psychology at the University of Central Arkansas before studying at the OU School of Library Information Studies (SLIS). 

During her time in the SLIS program she served as secretary of the Oklahoma Library & Information Studies Student Association (OLISSA), and also served on the OU SLIS Graduate Studies Committee. In addition to Beta Phi Mu, Zane is also currently a member of the American Library Association (ALA), the Oklahoma Library Association (OLA), and the Oklahoma Chapter of the Association of Research and College Libraries (OK-ACRL). 

Zane looks forward to the opportunity to serve the Beta Phi Mu Lambda Chapter and is excited to help create opportunities for scholarship and community for LIS students and future Beta Phi Mu members.

Treasurer

Theresa Carrol, MLIS:

Theresa Carrol is a Library Media Specialist. She recently won staff of the month and was featured by the Oklahoma School Library Association for a makerspace she created in her school library. As a graduate student, she served as a member of the School Library Advisory Board, the Graduate Studies Committee and was nominated for Beta Phi Mu.. Her work experience includes quality control, inventory management, and operations manager. Previously, she has taught in a bilingual preschool and led an after school program for elementary and secondary students. 

Lambda Chapter Membership voted in March 2022 to approve the following By-Laws changes: 

• Clarify confusing wording

• Removing gendered language

• Iterating that all members of the Board are voting members

• Removing the specific duties of each Board position, allowing the organization to adapt as-needed

• Including a Public Relations Chair position to aid in the Chapter's marketing and outreach efforts

The Lambda Chapter Board voted to adopt these By-Law revisions on March 4, 2022. or reject the changes.

View the 2022 By-Law Revisions with Change Explanations